10 Facts About Michael Barkai

Michael Barkai was the Commander of the Israeli Navy, a recipient of the Medal of Distinguished Service for his command of the missile ships during the Yom Kippur War.

In 1953, Michael Barkai enlisted in the Israeli Ground Forces in the Engineer Corps.

Michael Barkai entered the Officer School for the Israeli Navy in 1956 and was commissioned in 1957.

In 1959, Michael Barkai volunteered to join the Israeli Navy's submarine unit and quickly became captain of a submarine.

Michael Barkai managed to scare the Egyptian and Syrian navies so much that, by the end of the war, their ships would not leave the harbor.

In 1974, Michael Barkai was stationed at the Israeli Naval headquarters and in 1976, at the rank of Aluf, Michael Barkai became the Commander of the Israeli Navy.

Michael Barkai continued to build the Israeli Navy, under his command the Israeli Navy received the Gal class submarines and commissioned the building of two new corvettes.

Michael Barkai completely reorganized the sloppy command of the Israeli Navy into a great command.

Michael Barkai was acquitted due to lack of corroborating evidence but was relieved of his command by Defence Minister Ezer Weizman.

In 1999, Michael Barkai was diagnosed with cancer and began chemotherapy.